Gene Autry is his usual affable plain-talking, song-singing self in this
69:00 condensation of the 12-part serial "The Phantom Empire." Thus it winds up lacking continuity and becomes half musical, half sci-fi/adventure film. What concerns Autry most throughout the film is being back at Radio Ranch for his 2pm broadcast. Meanwhile, problems come up with the Muranians, who live almost 5 miles underground and have a very advanced civilization as far as scientific accomplishments are concerned. For some reason they come above ground and are seen by Autry - being seen by a surface dweller is a big no-no. So, Dorothy Christy (Queen Tika) calls for Autry's capture and execution. Dorothy Christy had a long career, appearing in 108 movies/TV shows between 1929-53, often playing opposite famous comic stars. Here, her acting is so stiff as to be laughable. A complication on the surface arises with the arrival of some greedy and crooked scientists after Murania's radium deposits. Meanwhile, Frankie Darro and Betsy Ross King, who at age 13 was already a great horse rider, create a children's group, the National Thunder Riders, dressed after some Muranians they saw, with tin bucket helmets and cloaks as a research and rescue team. Problems below develop when it turns out that there is a revolutionary factor underground plotting to overthrow the queen. Mix all this together with Autry's need to be home at 2pm for a broadcast and you get the gist of the film. I haven't watched it yet, but I think the 12-eoisode,
254:00 must be better than this
69:00 version also known as "Radio Ranch". Nevertheless, entertaining, often unintentionally funny and, overall, innovative as a sci-fi/western mix with songs.